Part 21 (2/2)

”They say the pu copper cylinder,” explained anear him

”Humph! Looks like an old wash boiler stuck on four wheels That ain't any good You need water to put out a fire”

”You do, eh?” thought Cole, who overheard this reines were soon in their quarters, and were charged with the soda and acid, according to the directions sent by the manufacturers

”Noe're all ready for a fire!” exclaimed Bert, as he and his chums looked at the athered at the town hall, where Vincent was to be in co fire now,” said one s copper cylinder

”Hold on, little ines for that I haven't gotten over the scare about my lumber yard yet Wait a bit, before you wish for a fire”

”I--I meant a bon-fire” replied the little fellow

”Oh--that! Well, maybe we'll have one at the picnic”

CHAPTER XVIII

THE PARADE AND PICNIC

Announceman, that the new fire departrand parade and picnic in about a week Me toere to be asked to take part, and there would be coames

The people of Lakeville hardly knehat to think So s had taken place in the last fewsleep, and finding hi,” reroup ofthe notice about the parade and picnic

”That's what it is,” added Mr Charles Daven, the aged postmaster and a justice of the peace ”Why there's been more mail come to this here office in the last teeks than in two months afore”

”How do you account for that?” asked Mr Appelby

”Why nearly every resident has written to soines an' fire department, an' the pussons has writ back, askin'

hoe done it I know, 'cause lots of 'em writ on postal cards, an' I read 'em I read all th' postals you know,” he went on, as if that was his privilege, ”only now there's gittin' to be so much mail, I don't half finish with 'em, 'fore some pusson comes in an' takes 'em away

But business is certainly io up likewise,” added Mr Sagger with a scowl

”Not on account of the fire department,” declared the man footed the bills”